NASA Awards Propulsion System Contract for Moon-Bound Mission

NASA has selected Space Systems/Loral, Palo Alto, Calif., to receive a contract for the propulsion system for the Lunar Atmosphere Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) spacecraft. The contract has a maximum value of $8.86 million.

This is a firm fixed price 15-month long contract that begins Dec. 21, 2009.

NASA

Under the terms of the contract, the company will design and construct a propulsion system that meets the LADEE project requirements, integrate the propulsion system into the NASA-provided LADEE propulsion structure, and provide NASA with propulsion system operation training and technical advice.

NASA’s LADEE is a small spacecraft observatory that will study the moon’s atmosphere and dust above the lunar surface.